FPUA Receives Statewide “Building Strong Communities” Award for Programs that Enhance the Community

The Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) recently recognized Fort Pierce Utilities Authority (FPUA) with a “Building Strong Communities” award for making valuable investments that enhance the quality of life in its community beyond efficient delivery of affordable and reliable energy.

FMEA recognized public power utilities for programs and projects that provide school and community education, collect charitable donations, provide customer payment assistance, and other special programs that strengthen the communities in which they serve, such as lighting ball fields, decorating for the holidays, collecting back-to school supply donations, making contributions to local senior centers, hosting blood drives, offering student internships, and participating in and hosting career for local students. 

Throughout the year, FPUA demonstrated its commitment to giving back to the community by:

• Engaging 43,247 community members at festivals and events
• Donating and distributing 1,810 pounds of food to local food banks/pantries
• Sponsoring 33 local organizations/events that enhance the quality of life in Fort Pierce, totaling $35,345.00
• Donating 10 gallons of blood through employee blood drives
• Providing free public WI-FI at nine locations throughout Fort Pierce (8616 gigabytes of free data usage).

“Earlier this month, we celebrated national Public Power Week, which recognizes the role and contributions of public power utilities within their communities. We used the opportunity to highlight the many benefits public power utilities provide their communities and residents. What stands out most is the services public power utilities and their employees provide beyond their day-in and day-out responsibilities. It’s everything they do that goes the extra mile,” said Amy Zubaly, FMEA Executive Director. “That is exactly what we are recognizing today with our ‘Building Strong Communities’ awards. We congratulate all of the recipients, including FPUA.”

FPUA was announced as an award recipient on October 28 at the FMEA Energy Connections Conference & Trade Show in Jacksonville. FPUA joins 18 other community-owned Florida public power communities in receiving this award.

Florida’s 33 public power utilities serve more than 4 million residential and business customers. They range in size from small towns to some of Florida’s largest municipalities. Statewide, they employ more than 5,800 Floridians.

Here in Fort Pierce, FPUA has over 265 employees and serves nearly 71,000 business and residential customers with utility services consisting of direct natural gas, electric, water/wastewater, and fiber internet through FPUAnet. For over 52 years, FPUA has made it possible for residents of Fort Pierce to own and control their energy future while receiving affordable, reliable, and economical utility services.

“Every day, our employees show up not just to deliver essential services, but to serve our community. This recognition reflects the heart of who we are, neighbors helping neighbors, investing in the well-being of Fort Pierce and taking pride in seeing our city thrive,” said Rachel Tennant, FPUA Director of Public Affairs and Sustainability.